Regarding the protests in Portsmouth, who authorised the positioning of opposing protesters so close together and what was the safety rationale? I have submitted a request to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and contacted its press office for an urgent, on-the-record explanation. In a circulating GB News report, the reporter describes police bringing a rival demonstration into the area where anti-immigration protesters had gathered. The footage shows opposing groups nearby, separated by police lines. Did police escort or direct the counter-demonstration into that position? Was this the agreed plan, or was it changed on the day? The FOI seeks the relevant operational-plan extracts, maps, risk assessments and command decision-log entries. These records could establish what was decided, when, and the reasons recorded at the time. I have also asked the force to preserve relevant command logs, radio recordings, police video and CCTV, and to identify anything inaccurate or incomplete in the reporter’s account. The clip alone does not establish why the groups were positioned there. The police should have the opportunity to explain any operational constraints or circumstances outside the footage. Decisions affecting the safety of peaceful protesters, officers and bystanders deserve scrutiny. The public should be able to understand how those decisions were reached. I’ll publish the force’s response and report what the records establish.